Chevrolet Sonic (United States of America, 2011-present)

In 2011 Chevrolet presented the Sonic as substitute of the Aveo on the North American market. The first generation Sonic is a small car in two different body styles: a four-door sedan and a sporty five-door.

The Chevrolet Sonic is powered by the same engines as the Chevrolet Cruze: the Ecotec 1.4L turbo and the Ecotec 1.8L. These engines are matted with three different transmissions: a five-speed manual and six-speed automatic with the 1.8L and a six-speed manual with the 1.4L turbo.

With the Sonic, Chevrolet is the only company building a small car in the United States. Starting in late 2011, the Sonic is produced at the General Motors Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, a plant that was upgraded and retooled in an investment of $545 million.

Chevrolet Sonic models are powered by the same engines as the Chevrolet Cruze, the Ecotec 1.4L turbo and the Ecotec 1.8L.

Three transmissions are available: a five-speed manual and six-speed automatic with the 1.8L and a six-speed manual with the 1.4L turbo.

Ecotec 1.4L turbo

The Ecotec 1.4L turbo’s power ratings are 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm. The engine is constructed with a low-mass hollow-frame cast iron block, dual overhead camshafts with variable valve timing, chain-driven cams and roller-finger camshaft followers, piston-cooling oil jets and integrated oil cooler, a variable-flow oil pump and an electronically controlled thermostat.

The 1.4L’s turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility in small vehicles. A reinforced crankshaft and stronger connecting rods deliver additional strength to support the engine’s pressurized power and torque over a wide rpm band.

Ecotec 1.8L

The naturally aspirated Ecotec 1.8L engine shares many of the features of the Ecotec 1.4L turbo. It is a compact four-cylinder engine with two-stage variable intake manifold allowing approximately 90 percent of peak torque to be available from 2,400 rpm to 6,500 rpm. It is rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) along with 125 lb.-ft. of torque (170 Nm) at 3,800 rpm.

Exterior

The first series Sonic comes in two body styles: four-door sedan and five-door hatchback. It has a wide, planted stance, with wheels-at-the-corners proportions. Headlamps and taillamps are motorcycle-inspired and the rear door handles on the five-door are located in a C-pillar area, suggesting the style of a three-door hatch. All models feature chrome grille surrounds and matte black honeycomb grille inserts. Available wheel sizes include 17-inch alloy wheels.

Interior
Sonic’s cabin shaows a detailed instrument cluster featuring a large, round analog tachometer set within an asymmetrical LCD readout, with a large digital speedometer display.

The mid-instrument panel surface is available in two colors (dark titanium and brick) and flows into the upper doors.

The automatic shift knob has a “cobra head” design, while the manual shifter has a chrome-finished knob. Tubular outboard climate outlets protrude from the instrument panel surface.  The interior includes storage compartments in the center stack and doors. The rear seats fold flat for carrying larger items. Front bucket seats are standard and heated front seats are available.
 

All 2011 Sonic models feature a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar. The rear suspension consists of a semi-independent, torsion beam axle-mount compound link-type design – featuring a tubular V-shape beam – with gas-charged shocks. The front and rear tracks are identical at 59.4 inches (1,509 mm).

A unique “flat top frame” cradle assures stiffness in the front chassis portion of the vehicle. The rear axle is essentially a straight axle without contour for packaging restraints and reduced noise, vibration and harshness. A range of wheel sizes is available, including 17-inch wheels and sport tires.

Steering
Electronic power steering is standard, and eliminates the need for steering fluid and a pump needed with hydraulic systems. It features a wear compensator that continually adjusts the system interaction with the steering gear to ensure precise steering action over the life of the system.

The Sonic features a number of systems to avoid crashes and to protect the occupants in the event a crash:

• Ten standard air bags include side curtain air bags, which provide head protection for outboard passengers in the event of a side-impact or rollover crash.
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system helps reduce the risk of rollover crashes by keeping the vehicle in the driver’s intended path by applying throttle, braking or a combination of both.
• Power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes are standard.
• Four-channel anti-lock braking is standard and incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo.
• Pretensioners minimize forward movement during a collision, and are standard on the front safety belts. Load-limiting retractors cinch the belt more tightly.
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat attachment system, which is included in all second-row seating positions.
• Tire pressure monitoring system is standard on all models.
• Strong body structure to absorb crash energy and provide a protective “safety cage” around occupants. More than 60 percent of the body structure is composed of advanced steels.

OnStar details

All 2011 Sonic models are equipped with OnStar. It uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of crash.

Production of the 2011 Sonic takes place at the General Motors Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, making it the only subcompact built in the United States.

The plant received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling, and created approximately 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area.